Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobiles produced for most of its

Oldsmobile
existence by General Motors. Olds Motor Vehicle Co. was founded by Ransom E.
Olds in 1897. It produced over 35 million vehicles, including at least 14 million built
at its Lansing, Michigan factory. At the time of its closure in 2004, Oldsmobile was
the oldest surviving American automobile marque, and one of the oldest in the
world, after Daimler, Peugeot, and Tatra.

Contents
Logo from 1981-1996
History
Early history Former type Entry-level luxury
1930s division
1940s Industry Automotive
1950s
Founded August 21, 1897
1960s
1970s-1980s Founder Ransom E. Olds
1990s Defunct April 29, 2004
2000s
Headquarters Lansing, Michigan,
Oldsmobile models U.S.
Production
Products Luxury vehicles,
Models
mainstream
Concept
vehicles
Canadian market
Parent General Motors
Other markets
Website oldsmobile.com
Marketing themes
Advertising gallery
Motorsport
NASCAR
IMSA GT
IndyCar
Trans Am Series
See also
References
Further reading
External links

History

Early history
Oldsmobiles were first manufactured by the Olds Motor Vehicle Co. in Lansing, Michigan, a company founded by Ransom E. Olds
in 1897. In 1901, the company produced 635 cars, making it the first high-volume gasoline-powered automobile manufacturer.
(Electric car manufacturers such asColumbia Electric and steam powered car manufacturers such as Locomobile had higher volumes
 a few years earlier). Oldsmobile became the top selling car company in the United States
for a few years around 1903-4. Ransom Olds left the company in 1904 because of a
dispute and formed theREO Motor Car Company.

The 1901 to 1904 Oldsmobile Curved Dash was the first

mass-produced car,[1] made from the first automotive
assembly line, an invention that is often miscredited to
Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company. (Ford was the
Ransom Eli Olds, the founder and first to manufacture cars on a moving assembly line.)
namesake of Oldsmobile After Olds merged Olds Motor Vehicle Co. with the Olds
Gas Engine Works in 1899, it was renamed Olds Motor
Works and moved to a new plant in Detroit, located at
the corner of East Jefferson Avenue and MacArthur Bridge.[2] By March 1901, the company had a The first Oldsmobile
whole line of models ready for mass production. However, a mistake by a worker caused the factory logo
to catch fire, and it burned to the ground, with all of the prototypes destroyed. The only car that
survived the fire was a Curved Dash prototype, which was wheeled out of the
factory by two workers while escaping the fire. A new factory was built in Lansing,
and production of the Curved Dash commenced.

Officially, the cars were called "Olds automobiles," but were colloquially referred to
as "Oldsmobiles." It was this moniker, as applied especially to the Curved Dash
Olds, that was popularized in the lyrics and title of the 1905 hit song "In My Merry
Oldsmobile". The last Oldsmobile Curved Dash was made in 1907. General Motors
purchased the company in 1908. 1904 Olds model 6C Curved-Dash-
Olds
The 1910 Limited Touring was a
high point for the company. Riding
atop 42-inch wheels, and equipped with factory "white" tires, the Limited was the
prestige model in Oldsmobile's two model lineup. The Limited retailed for
US$4,600, an amount greater than the purchase of a new, no-frills three bedroom
house. Buyers received goatskin upholstery, a 60 hp (45 kW) 707 CID (11.6 L)
straight-six engine, Bosch Magneto starter, running boards and room for five.
1928 Oldsmobile 4-door sedan
Options included a speedometer, clock, and a full glass windshield. A limousine
version was priced at $5,800. While Oldsmobile only sold 725 Limiteds in its three
years of production, the car is best remembered for winning a race against the famed 20th Century Limited train, an event
immortalized in the painting Setting the Pace by William Hardner Foster. In 1926, the Oldsmobile Six came in five body styles, and
" B platform", shared with Buick products.[3]
ushered in a new GM bodystyle platform called the GM

In 1929, as part of General Motors' companion make program, Oldsmobile introduced the higher standard Viking brand, marketed
through the Oldsmobile dealers network. Viking was discontinued already at the end of the 1930 model year although an additional
353 cars were marketed as 1931 models.

1930s
In 1937, Oldsmobile was a pioneer in introducing a four-speed semi-automatic transmission called the "Automatic Safety
Transmission", although this accessory was actually built by Buick, which would offer it in its own cars in 1938. This transmission
features a conventional clutch pedal, which the driver presses before selecting either "low" or "high" range. In "low," the car shifts
[4]
between first and second gears. In "high," the car shifts among first, third and fourth gears.

1940s
For the 1940 model, Oldsmobile was the first auto manufacturer to offer a fully
automatic transmission, called the "Hydramatic", which features four forward speeds. It
has a gas pedal and a brake—no clutch pedal. The gear selector is on the steering
column.

Starting in 1941 and continuing through 1999, Oldsmobile used a two digit model
designation. As originally implemented, the first digit signifies the body size while the
second represents the number of cylinders. Body sizes were 6, 7, 8, and 9, and six- and
1934 Oldsmobile 8 convertible
eight-cylinder engines were offered. Thus, Oldsmobiles were named "66" through "98". coupe

The last pre-war Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on February 5, 1942. During
World War II, Oldsmobile produced numerous kinds of material for the war effort,
including large-caliber guns and shells. Production resumed on October 15, 1945 with a
warmed-over 1942 model serving as the offering for 1946.

Oldsmobile once again was a pioneer when, for the 1949 model, they introduced their
Rocket engine, which used an overhead valve V8 design rather than the flathead
"straight-eight" design which prevailed at the time. This engine produces far more
power than the other engines that were popular during that era, and found favor with 1940 Oldsmobile Series 70
hot-rodders and stock car racers. The basic design, with a few minor changes, endured
until Oldsmobile redesigned their V8 engines in the mid-1960s.

1950s
Oldsmobile entered the 1950s following a divisional image campaign centered on its
'Rocket' engines and its cars' appearance followed suit. Oldsmobile's Rocket V8
engine was the leader in performance, generally considered the fastest cars on the
market and by the mid-1950s their styling was among the first to offer a wide, "open
maw" grille, suggestive of jet propulsion. Oldsmobile adopted a ringed-globe
emblem to stress what marketers felt was its universal appeal. Throughout the 1950s,
the make used twin jet pod-styled taillights as a nod to its "Rocket" theme.
Oldsmobile was among the first of General Motors' divisions to receive a true
hardtop in 1950 called the "Holiday coupe", Buick's version was called the 1953 Oldsmobile advertisement
"Riviera", and Cadillac's was called the "Coupe DeVille", and it was also among the
first divisions (along with Buick and Cadillac) to receive a wraparound windshield, a
trend that eventually all American makes would share at sometime between 1953
and 1964. New for 1954 on 98 coupes and convertible (Starfire) would be front and
rear "sweep cut" fender styling which would not show up on a Chevrolet until 1956
and a Pontiac in 1957.

In the 1950s the nomenclature changed again, and trim levels also received names
that were then mated with the model numbers. This resulted in the Oldsmobile 88
emerging as base Dynamic 88 and the highline Super 88. Other full-size model
1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday
names included the "Holiday" used on hardtops, and "Fiesta" used on its station
coupe
wagons. When the 88 was retired in 1999 (with a Fiftieth Anniversary Edition), its
length of service was the longest model name used on American cars after the
Chrysler New Yorker. Mid-1955 also saw the introduction of the four-door Holiday pillarless hardtop, the industry's first (along with
Buick).
General Motors' styling as a whole lost its frontrunner status in 1957 when Chrysler
introduced Virgil Exner's "forward look" designs. When compared side to side,
Oldsmobile looked dated next to its price-point competitor DeSoto. Compounding
the problem for Oldsmobile and Buick was a styling mistake which GM called the
"Strato Roof". Both makes had models which contained the heavily framed rear
window, but Detroit had been working with large curved backlights for almost a
decade. Consumers disliked the roof and its blind spots, forcing GM to rush a
redesign into production on some of its models. Oldsmobile dealership in Wisconsin,
circa 1940s-1950s
Oldsmobile's only off year in the 1950s was 1958. The nation was beginning to feel
the results of its first significant post war recession, and US automobile sales were
down for the model year. Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac received a heavy-handed makeover of the 1957 GM designs. The
Oldsmobile that emerged in 1958 bore little resemblance to the design of its forerunners; instead the car emerged as a large,
overdecorated "chromemobile" which many felt had overly ostentatious styling.

Up front, all 1958 Oldsmobiles received one of General Motors' heavily styled front fascias and quad-headlights. Streaking back from
the edge of the headlights was a broad belt consisting of two strips of chrome on regular 88s, three strips on Super 88s, and three
strips (top and bottom thin, inside thick) on 98s that ended in a point at mid-body. The bottom of the rear fender featured a thick
stamping of a half tube that pointed forward, atop which was a chrome assembly of four horizontal chrome speed-lines that
terminated into a vertical bar. The tail of the car featured massive vertical chrome taillight housings. Two chrome stars were fitted to
the trunklid.

Ford styling consultant Alex Tremulis (designer of the 1948 Tucker sedan) mocked
the 1958 Oldsmobile by drawing cartoons of the car, and placing musical notes in
the rear trim assembly. Another Detroit stylist employed by Ford bought a used 1958
Oldsmobile in the early 1960s, driving it daily to work. He detached and rearranged
the Oldsmobile lettering above the grille to spell out slobmodel as a reminder to
himself and co-workers of what "bad" auto design meant to their business.

In 1959, Oldsmobile models were completely redesigned with a rocket motif from
front to rear, as the top of the front fenders had a chrome rocket, while the body-
length fins were shaped as rocket exhausts which culminated in a fin-top taillight 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday
(concave on the 98 models while convex on the 88 models). The 1959 models also coupe
offered several roof treatments, such as the pillared sedan with a fastback rear
window and the Holiday SportSedan, which was a flat-roofed pillarless hardtop with
wraparound front and rear glass. The 1959 models were marketed as "the linear look", and also featured a bar-graph speedometer
which showed a green indicator through 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), then changed to orange until 65 miles per hour (105 km/h),
then was red above that until the highest speed read by the speedometer, 120 miles per hour (190 km/h). Power windows were
available on the 98 models, as was two-speed electric windshield wipers with electrically powered windshield washers. The 88 still
relied on vacuum-operated windshield wipers without a washer feature. 1959 Oldsmobiles were offered with "Autronic Eye" (a
dashboard-mounted automatic headlight dimmer) as well as factory-installed air conditioning and power-operated front bench seat as
available options.

The 1959 body style was continued through the 1960 model year, but the fins were toned down for 1960 and the taillights were
moved to the bottom of the fenders.

1960s
Notable achievements for Oldsmobile in the 1960s included the introduction of the first turbocharged engine in 1962 (the Turbo
Jetfire), the first modern front-wheel drive car produced in the United States (the 1966 Toronado), the Vista Cruiser station wagon
(noted for its roof glass), and the upscale 442 muscle car. Olds briefly used the names "Jetstar 88" (1964–1966) and Delmont 88
(1967–1968) on its least expensive full size models in the 1960s.

Notable models for the 1960s:

Oldsmobile 442 - began as a 1964 muscle car option package 4-barrel (

carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission, and2 exhausts) on the F-
85/Cutlass. In 1965, to better compete with the Pontiac GT O, the original
330 CID V8 rated at 310 hp (231 kW) was replaced by a new 400 CID V8
rated at 345 hp (257 kW). The 442 definition was changed to "4"
hundred CID V8 engine, "4"-barrel carburetor , and "2" exhaust pipes, and
was named by "Car Craft Nationals" as the "top car of 1965". In 1968 the Oldsmobile Headquarters (1966)
442 became its own model and got a larger , 455 CID (7.5 L), V8 engine in
1970. - Building 70
Oldsmobile Cutlass (1961–1999) - mid-size car. Oldsmobile's best seller in
the 1970s and 1980s, and in some of those years America's best-selling
car. In 1966 a top-line Cutlass Supreme was introduced as a four-door
hardtop sedan with a more powerful 320 hp (239 kW) 330 CID Jetfire
Rocket V8 than the regular F-85/Cutlass models, a more luxurious interior
and other trimmings. In 1967 the Cutlass Supreme was expanded to a full
series also including two-door hardtop and pillared coupes, a convertible
and a four-door pillared sedan. It also came with a 6.6L 400 CID engine as
an option in 1967.
Oldsmobile F-85 (1961–1972) - compact sedan, coupe and station wagon
powered by a 215 CID aluminum block V8 engine from 1961 to 1963. In
1964 the F-85 was upgraded to an intermediate sized car and the aluminum
V8 was replaced by conventional cast-iron six-cylinder and V8 engines. The From 1948 until 2004, Oldsmobile
Cutlass was initially the top model of the F-85 line but became a separate used a variety of logos employing
model by 1965 with the F-85 nameplate continued only on the lowest priced a rocket theme that played off its
models through the 1972 model year, after which all Oldsmobile Rocket line of V-8 engines. This
intermediates were Cutlasses.
stylistic variation was used on full
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (1964–1977) - a stretched wheelbase Cutlass
size vehicles for the 1962, 1963,
station wagon, which was stretched to 120" from 115" in the 1964-67
models and to 121" from 116" in the 1968-72 models, the stretched area and 1964 model years
being in the second-row seating area. This car featured an elevated roof
over the rear seat and cargo area and glass skylights over the rear seating
area, which consisted of a transverse skylight over the second seat (two-
piece from 1964 to 1967, one-piece from 1968 to 1972) and small
longitudinal skylights directly over the rear cargo-area windows, and also
featured standard second-row sunvisors. The three-seat models featured
forward-facing seating, at a time when most three-seat station wagons had
the third row of seats facing the rear. From 1965 to 1970, it would be
Oldsmobile's flagship station wagon, as no full-sized wagons were
produced. The third-generation 1973-77 models no longer had skylights Oldsmobile Starfire (1961)
other than an optional front-row pop-up sunroof. This car was merely an up-
line trim package on the Cutlass Supreme wagon and carried the iV sta
Cruiser nameplate rather than the Cutlass nameplate. The optional third
seat was rear-facing in the third-generation V ista Cruiser.
Oldsmobile Starfire (1961–1966) - a sporty and luxurious hardtop coupe
and convertible based on the 88. The Starfire featured interiors with leather
bucket seats and a center console with floor shifter , along with a standard
Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering and brakes (and power windows
and seats on convertibles). It was powered by Oldsmobile's most powerful
Rocket V8 engine, a 394 CID engine from 1961 to 1964 rated from 330 to
345 hp (257 kW), and a larger 425 CID Super Rocket V8 from 1965 to
1966, rated at 375 hp (280 kW).
Oldsmobile Jetstar I (1964–1966) - life for the somewhat obscure Jetstar I 1965 Oldsmobile 442 sport coupe
started in 1964. It was designed to be a low cost option to the successful
full size Starfire series - more of a direct competitor to thePontiac Grand
Prix. Standard equipment included the 345 hp (257 kW) 394ci Starfire engine, vinyl bucket seats and console.
Keeping the “sport” part of the Starfire, it possessed less of the luxury and glitz. It weighed in at 4028 pounds, and
16,084 were produced for 1964. It was a Starfire without the frills and was informally dubbed “the poor man’ s
Starfire”. Proving to be an ill-fated model, 1965 concluded the 2-year run for the Jetstar I. Only 6,552 were sold. The
introduction of the Pontiac GTO and Oldsmobile 4-4-2 in 1964 insured the future of the musclecars were the
intermediates, and the front-drive Toronado loomed big in Oldsmobile's future taking over the flagship status from the
Starfire. Further confused with its lesser brethren with the Jetstar 88 nameplate, there was no way but out for the
Jetstar I. And close examination of prices revealed that unless one bought a sparsely optioned JS1, there was little
financial incentive to buy a JS1 over the Starfire. But lost in the mix was a high-performance car in the ’65 Jetstar I.
Trimmed down to 3963#, the ’65 model was an overlooked performance
 Trimmed down to 3963#, the ’65 model was an overlooked performance
car. The new 370 hp (276 kW) 425ci Starfireengine delivered 470 lb⋅ft
(637 N⋅m) of torque, was durable, and was quite an improvement over the
’64 394. The new Oldsmobile Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was a vast
performance improvement over the previous “slim-jim” Hydra-Matic
transmission. Also, Oldsmobile offered the Muncie 4-speed with Hurst
shifter in ’65. Oldsmobile boasted in a 1965 press release that “a Jetstar I
proved to be the top accelerator of the entire event” at the 1965 Pure Oil
Performance Trials in Daytona beach. Thosetrials were sanctioned and
supervised by NASCAR.Note: between 1964 and 1966, Oldsmobile named
its least expensive full size model the Oldsmobile Jetstar 88 which the 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
Jetstar I was not related to, and priced $500–$600 below the Jetstar I.
Oldsmobile Delta 88 (1949–1999) While the "88" series of Oldsmobile's
date back to the 1940s, and were offered in a variety of trim levels, the
introduction of the Delta 88, which superseded the Super 88 line as Olds'
mid-level full-sized vehicles, was a watershed event for the division.Better
trimmed than the low price Dynamic 88 range, but available in a wider
range of body styles than the Super 88 had been, the Delta range was an
immediate hit with car buyers.It quickly over shadowed the Dynamic 88
line. To pump life into the Dynamic 88 range, Oldsmobile renamed it the
Delmont 88 for 1967. However the Delta continued to climb in popularity to
the point where Oldsmobile dropped the Delmont range at the end of the 1967 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1968 model run. Eventually the Delta 88 was joined by the Delta 88 Royale,
a premium trimmed Delta.The Delta continued to be Oldsmobile's most
popular full size line. In an attempt to modernize marketing efforts as
Oldsmobile's fortunes declined, the "Delta" name was dropped in 1989, but
the car lived on as the Eighty-Eight until Oldsmobile ended its production in
1999.
Oldsmobile Toronado (1966–1992) - a front-wheel drive coupe in the
personal luxury car category, introduced in 1966. At the time, thelargest
and most powerful front-wheel-drive car ever produced, and one of the first
modern front-wheel-drive cars equipped with an automatic transmission.
The original Toronado was powered by a 425CID Super Rocket V8 engine
rated at 385 hp (287 kW), mated to a three-speed T urbo Hydra-Matic 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
transmission. The Toronado was Motor Trend magazine's 1966 "car of the
year".

1970s-1980s
Oldsmobile sales soared in the 1970s and 1980s (reaching an all-time high of 1,066,122 in 1985)
based on popular designs, positive reviews from critics, and perceived quality and reliability, with
the Cutlass series becoming North America's top selling car by 1976. By this time, Olds had
displaced Pontiac and Plymouth as the third best-selling brand in the U.S. behind Chevrolet and
Ford. In the late 1970s and again in the mid-1980s, model-year production topped one million
units, something only Chevrolet and Ford had achieved.

The soaring popularity of Oldsmobile vehicles resulted in a major issue in the late 1970s. At that
time, each General Motors division produced its own V8 engines, and in 1977, Oldsmobile, Logo used from 1981 to
Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Buick each produced a unique 350-cubic-inch displacement V8. 1996, also applied on a
few early 1997 models.
It was during the 1977 model year that demand exceeded production capacity for the Oldsmobile
V8, and as a result Oldsmobile began equipping most full size Delta 88 models (those with
Federal emissions specifications) with the Chevrolet 350 engine instead. Although it was widely debated whether there was a
difference in quality or performance between the two engines, there was no question that the engines were different from one another.
Many customers were loyal Oldsmobile buyers who specifically wanted the Rocket V8, and did not discover that their vehicle had
the Chevrolet engine until they performed maintenance and discovered that purchased parts did not fit. This becamepublic
a relations
nightmare for GM.[5][6]
Following this debacle, disclaimers stating that "Oldsmobiles are equipped with engines
produced by various GM divisions" were tacked onto advertisements and sales
literature; all other GM divisions followed suit. In addition, GM quickly stopped
associating engines with particular divisions, and to this day all GM engines are
produced by "GM Powertrain" (GMPT) and are called GM "Corporate" engines instead
of GM "Division" engines. Although it was the popularity of the Oldsmobile division
vehicles that prompted this change, declining sales of V8 engines would have made this
change inevitable as all but the Chevrolet version of the 350-cubic-inch engine were
eventually dropped. 1970s Oldsmobile Cutlass
Supreme
Oldsmobile also introduced a 5.7L (350 cu-in, V8) diesel engine option on its Custom
Cruiser, Delta 88 and 98 models in 1978 and a smaller 4.3L (260 cu-in, V8)
displacement diesel on the 1979 Cutlass Salon and Cutlass Supreme/Cutlass Calais
models. These were largely based on their gasoline engines but with heavier duty cast
blocks, re-designed heads, fast glow plugs, and on the 5.7L, oversized cranks, main
bearings, and wrist pins. There were several problems with these engines, including
water and corrosion in the injectors (no water separator in the fuel line), paraffin
clogging of fuel lines and filters in cold weather, reduced lubrication in the heads due to
undersized oil galleys, head bolt failures, and the use of aluminum rockers and
stanchions in the 4.3L V8 engines. While the 5.7L was also offered on various Buick, 1977 Oldsmobile Omega sedan
Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, and Pontiac models, it was eventually discontinued by all
divisions in 1985. 4.3L V6 diesels were also offered between 1982 and 1985.

Notable models:

Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme(1966–1997) - more performance and luxury

than the lower priced Cutlass and Cutlass S models, fitting in at the lower
end of the personal luxury car market. Models were similar to thePontiac
Grand Prix, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and Buick Regal.
Oldsmobile 98 (1941–1996) - Oldsmobile full-sized luxury coupe and sedan
that was downsized in 1977 and 1985, became front-wheel-drive in 1985.
Oldsmobile Toronado (1966–1992) - personal luxury coupe, major redesign
downsized the car in 1979 then again in 1986,Motor Trend Car of the Year 1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88
in '66.
Oldsmobile Omega (1973–1984) - European flavored compact car originally
based on the Chevrolet Nova and later theChevrolet Citation.
Oldsmobile Calais (or Cutlass Calais)(1985–1991) - popular compact
coupe and sedan on GM's "N-body" platform, similar to the Pontiac Grand
Am. The series' name was taken from what was formerly the high-end
option package for Cutlass Supreme models.
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera(1982–1996) - popular selling upscale mid-sized
car based on GM's A platform. During its run, the Cutlass Ciera was
Oldsmobile's best-selling model. It consistently ranked among the highest 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
rated vehicles by J. D. Power and Associates; it was ranked the "Best in
Price Class" on July 30, 1992 and the "Top-Ranked American-Made Car"
on May 28, 1992. It was also named "Safe Car of the e Yar" by Prevention Magazine on March 6, 1992.
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser(1971–1992) - full-size station wagon.
Oldsmobile Starfire (1975–1980) - sporty subcompact, hatchback coupe similar to the Chevrolet Monza, which was
itself, based on the Chevrolet Vega.
Oldsmobile Firenza (1982–1988) - compact sedan, hatchback, coupe, and station wagon based on GM's J-body ,
sharing the same platform with theChevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Sunbird, and Buick Skyhawk.

1990s
After the tremendous success of the 1970s and 1980s, things changed quickly for
Oldsmobile and by the early 1990s the brand had lost its place in the market,
squeezed between other GM divisions, and with competition from new upscale
import makes Acura, Infiniti and Lexus. GM continued to use Oldsmobile
sporadically to showcase futuristic designs and as a "guinea pig" for testing new
technology, with Oldsmobile offering the Toronado Trofeo, which included a visual
instrument system with a calendar, datebook, and climate controls. For 1995, Logo from 1997-2004
Oldsmobile introduced the Aurora, which would be the inspiration for the design of
its cars from the mid-1990s onward. The introduction of the Aurora marked as
General Motors' catalyst to reposition Oldsmobile as an upscale import fighter.
Accordingly, Oldsmobile received a new logo based on the familiar "rocket" theme.
Nearly all the existing model names were gradually phased out: the Cutlass Calais in
1991, the Toronado and Custom Cruiser in 1992, the Ninety-Eight and Ciera
(formerly Cutlass Ciera) in 1996, Cutlass Supreme in 1997, and finally the Eighty-
Eight and Cutlass (which had only been around since '97) in 1999. They were
replaced with newer, more modern models with designs inspired by the Aurora.

Redesigned & new models introduced from 1990 to 2004: 1994 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale

Oldsmobile Achieva (1992–1998) - compact sedan & coupe

Oldsmobile Alero (1999–2004) - compact sport sedan & coupe
Oldsmobile Aurora (1995–2003) - full-size luxury/performance sedan
(redesigned for 2001)
Oldsmobile Bravada (1991–2004) - mid-size premiumSport utility
vehicle (redesigned for 1996 and 2002)
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser(1971–1992) - full-size station wagon.
(Redesigned for 1991)
Oldsmobile Cutlass (1997–1999) - mid-size sedan
Oldsmobile Eighty Eight(1949–1999) - full-size premium sedan
First Generation Oldsmobile Aurora
(redesigned for 1992)
Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998–2002) - mid-size luxury/sport sedan
Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight(1941–1996) - full-size luxury sedan
(redesigned for 1991)
Oldsmobile Silhouette (1990–2004) - premiumminivan (redesigned for 1997)

2000s
In spite of Oldsmobile's critical successes since the mid-1990s, a reported shortfall
in sales and overall profitability prompted General Motors to announce in December
2000 their plans to shut down the Oldsmobile organization. That announcement was
officially revealed two days after Oldsmobile distributed the Bravada SUV - which
became another critical hit for the division and turned out to be their final vehicle to
manufacture. The phaseout was conducted on thefollowing schedule:

February 2001: The 2002Bravada, the company's last new model, hits
Oldsmobile showrooms 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
June 2002: Production ends forIntrigue and the Aurora V6 sedans
March 2003: Aurora V8 sedan production ends
January 2004: Bravada SUV production ends
April 2004: Alero compact car production ends
The 500 Aleros, Auroras, Bravadas, Silhouettes and Intrigues produced received special Oldsmobile heritage emblems and markings
which signified 'Final 500'. All featured a unique Dark Cherry Metallic paint scheme. Auroras and Intrigues would be accompanied
by special Final 500 literature.
The Oldsmobile division's last completed production car was an Alero GLS 4-door sedan, which was signed by all of the Olds
assembly line workers. It was on display at the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum located in Lansing, Michigan, until GM's
bankruptcy when they retook possession of the car
. It is now located at the GM Heritage Center inSterling Heights, Michigan.

Oldsmobile models

Production

Model Year(s) Model H.P. Rating Cyl. Remarks

1901–1903 Curved Dash Model R 5 1
1902 Pirate 7 1 Racer
1904 Curved Dash Model 6C 7 1
1904 Model T 10 1 a.k.a. "Light Tonneau"
1904–1905 Model N 7 1 a.k.a. "Touring Runabout"
1905–1906 Curved Dash Model B 7 1
1905 Side Entrance Tonneau 20 2 5-passenger
1906 Model L 2, opposed
1906 Model S 4
1907 Curved Dash Model F 7 1
1907 Model H 4
1907 Model A 4
1908 Model M / MR 4
1908–1909 Model X 4
1908–1909 Model Z 40 6
1909 20 22 4 Derived from Buick 10
1909 Model D / DR 4
1910 Special 40 4 Replaces all previous 4-cylinder cars
1910–1912 Limited 60 6 Introduced 1909 as 1910 model
1911 Special 36 4 Compressed-air starter (all)
1911-12 Autocrat 40 4
1912–1913 Defender 35 4 el. Starter & lighting (all)
1913 53 50 6 Replaces Limited and Autocrat
1914–1915 42 20 4 "Baby-Olds"
1914 54 50 6 "6th Generation Six"
1915-16 43 30 6 "4th Generation Four"
1915 55 50 6 "6th Generation Six"
1916 44 "Light Eight" V-8
1917 45 "Light Eight" V-8
1918 45A "Light Eight" V-8
Models
Oldsmobile Six
Oldsmobile Eight
Oldsmobile Deluxe
Oldsmobile 66 and 68 (1939–1948)
Oldsmobile 76 and 78 (1946–1950)
Oldsmobile 98 (1941–1996)
Oldsmobile 88 (1949–1999)
Oldsmobile F-85 (1961–1967)
Oldsmobile Starfire (1961–1966 & 1975–1980)
Oldsmobile Jetstar I (1964–1965)
Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser (1964–1977)
Oldsmobile Cutlass (1964–1977, 1980–1981 & 1997–1999)
Oldsmobile Toronado (1966–1992)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme(1967–1997)
Oldsmobile 442 (1968–1980 & 1985–1987)
Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser(1971–1992)
Oldsmobile Omega (1973–1984)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon(1973–1980 & 1985–1987)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser(1978–1996)
Oldsmobile Firenza (1982–1988)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera(1982–1996)
Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais(1985–1991)
Oldsmobile Touring Sedan (1987–1990)
Oldsmobile Silhouette (1990–2004)
Oldsmobile Bravada (1991–2004)
Oldsmobile Achieva (1992–1998)
Oldsmobile Aurora (1995–2003)
Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998–2002)
Oldsmobile Alero (1999–2004)

Concept
Oldsmobile Starfire (1953)
Oldsmobile Cutlass (1954)
Oldsmobile F-88 (1954)
Oldsmobile 88 Delta (1955)
Oldsmobile Golden Rocket(1956)
Oldsmobile F-88 Mark II(1957)
Oldsmobile F-88 Mark III(1959)
Oldsmobile X-215 (1962)
Oldsmobile El Torero (1963)
Oldsmobile J-TR (1963)
Oldsmobile Thor by Ghia (1967)
Oldsmobile Incas by ItalDesign (1986)
Oldsmobile Aerotech (1987)
Oldsmobile Aerotech III(1989)
Oldsmobile Tube Car (1989)
Oldsmobile Expression(1990)
Oldsmobile Achieva (1991)
Oldsmobile Anthem (1992)
Oldsmobile Antares (1995)
Oldsmobile Alero Alpha(1997)
Oldsmobile Recon (1999)
 Oldsmobile Profile (2000)
Oldsmobile O4 (2001)

Canadian market
In Canada the range was limited, with the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Oldsmobile Bravada being unavailable to Canadian consumers
until much later in their production life.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass (1997–1999 version) was not of

fered there.
The Oldsmobile Silhouette was sold in Canada from 1998 onwards, unlike in theUnited States.
The Oldsmobile Bravada was unavailable in Canada until its third generation in 2002; previous models sold in
Canada were grey import vehicles.

Other markets
In Mexico all Oldsmobile models were sold under theChevrolet brand.

The Oldsmobile Alero was sold as a Chevrolet in Europe but it retained Oldsmobile's badge / logo on the front, the Chevrolet name
was used due to buyers' unfamiliarity with Oldsmobile in Europe.

Marketing themes
Early on in its history, Olds enjoyed a healthy public relations boost from the 1905 hit song In My Merry Oldsmobile. The same
theme—a fast, powerful Olds car helping the driver romance the opposite sex—was updated in the 1950s with the iconic hit Rocket
88.

The strong public relations efforts by GM in the 1950s was epitomized in the Motorama, a "one company" auto show extravaganza.
Millions of Americans attended, in a spirit not unlike a "mini-World's Fair". Every GM division had a "Dream Car". Oldsmobile's
dream/concept car was called "The Golden Rocket".

The Dr. Oldsmobile theme was one of Oldsmobile's most successful marketing
campaigns in the early '70s, it involved fictional characters created to promote the
wildly popular 442 muscle car. 'Dr. Oldsmobile' was a tall lean professor type who
wore a white lab coat. His assistants included 'Elephant Engine Ernie' who
represented the big block 455 Rocket engine. 'Shifty Sidney' was a character who
could be seen swiftly shifting his hand using a Hurst shifter. 'Wind Tunnel Waldo'
had slicked back hair that appeared to be constantly wind blown. He represented
Oldsmobile's wind tunnel testing, that produced some of the sleekest designs of the
day. Another character included 'Hy Spy' who had his ear to the ground as he
1970 Oldsmobile 442
checked out the competition.

A public relations campaign in the late 1980s proclaimed that this was "not your
father's Oldsmobile." Ironically, many fans of the brand say that the declining sales were in fact caused by the "this is not your
father's Oldsmobile" campaign, as the largest market for Oldsmobiles was the population whose parents had, in fact, owned
Oldsmobiles and that by going away from the traditional vehicles that Oldsmobile's brand was built upon, lost many loyal buyers and
put the brand on a collision course with Pontiac and Buick which led to internal cannibalization and a downfall from which it could
never recover. Oldsmobile's final major ad campaign had the slogan "Start Something" in a last-ditch effort to market to younger
buyers at the turn of the millennium.[7]

Advertising gallery
 A 1902 advertisement for A 1904 advertisement for A 1905 advertisement for Oldsmobile four-cylinder
Oldsmobile - Galveston Oldsmobile - Syracuse Oldsmobile. touring car (Model S) -
Daily News, December Post-Standard, Syracuse Herald, April 7,
28, 1902 September 30, 1904 1906

A 1908 advertisement for A 1910 advertisement for A 1910 advertisement for

Oldsmobile (Model M) - Oldsmobile - Mansfield Oldsmobile - Syracuse
La Crosse Tribune, May News, April 23, 1910 Post-Standard, June 11,
8, 1908 1910

Motorsport

NASCAR
Oldsmobile is especially known for its competition in NASCAR. Beginning with the Rocket 88, Oldsmobile proved heavily
competitive in stock car racing. In the Sixties, the Rocket 88 was replaced by the 442. Eventually, the Cutlass would lead Oldsmobile
into the Eighties before GM reduced its entries to Chevrolet and Pontiac in the Nineties.

IMSA GT
In the IMSA GT Championship, Oldsmobile would provide power for IMSA GT Prototypes alongside Chevrolet and Buick. The
Cutlass was used in IMSA GTO along with other vehicles also being used in Trans Am and NASCAR.

IndyCar
Oldsmobile was an engine supplier in theIndyCar Series along with Infiniti starting in 1996..

Trans Am Series
The Cutlass was used in the Trans Am Series during the 1980s. Many vehicles also being used in NASCAR at the time were used in
Trans Am and IMSA GTO.
See also
List of automobile manufacturers
List of defunct automobile manufacturers of the United States
Oldsmobile Diesel engine
Oldsmobile Quad 4 engine
Oldsmobile straight-6 engine
Oldsmobile V8 engine
Irving Jacob Reuter

References
1. Michigan Yesterday & Today (https://books.google.com/books?id=HQdT
a9ZXlVAC&pg=PA29&dq=Ransom+Olds+an
d+assembly+line&hl=en&ei=bBlsTvDoBNG9tgf-uungBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDwQ6
AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false). Voyageur Press.
2. "Ransom Eli Olds Commemorative Marker"(http://detroit1701.org/Ransom%20Olds%20Plaque.html)
.
3. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20121120211158/http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobil
e/1926%20Oldsmobile/album/1926%20Oldsmobile%20Foldout-03.html) . Archived from the original (http://www.oldca
rbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobile/1926%20Oldsmobile/album/1926%20Oldsmobile%20Foldout-03.html) on
2012-11-20. Retrieved 2011-11-10.
4. "Automatic Transmission Saves Gas And Power" (https://books.google.com/books?id=79oDAAAAMBAJ&pg=P A166
&dq=Popular+Science+1933+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&hl=en&ei=RasMT uyGFYifsQLC3sGzCg&sa=X&o
i=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC0Q6AEwA TgK#v=onepage&q&f=true)Popular Mechanics, August
1937
5. Mateja, James (March 13, 1977)."GM engine lawsuit: When does Olds become a Chevrolet?"(https://pqasb.pqarchi
ver.com/chicagotribune/access/615466102.html?dids=615466102:615466102&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=hist
oric&date=Mar+13%2C+1977&author=&pub=Chicago+T ribune&desc=GM+engine+lawsuit%3A+When+does+Olds+
become+a+Chevrolet%3F&pqatl=google). Chicago Tribune.
6. Stuart, Reginald (April 3, 1978)."G.M.'s Image Under Fire In New Type of Lawsuit; Latest Charges Challenge
Internal Operations, Not Size Factors Credibility and Durability 'A Set of Principles' G.M. Image Assailed in New
Cases Murkier Waters Today 'Little Attention' Given Approach Challenged"(https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/03/arc
hives/gms-image-under-fire-in-new-type-of-lawsuit-latest-charges.html) . The New York Times. Retrieved May 20,
2010.
7. In the '90s, General Motors hired marketers from outside the auto industry -- gurus of selling soap, toothpaste,
disposable diapers and the like. But given the blunders behind Oldsmobile's failure, perhaps GM should have taken
its marketing lessons from radio instead!(http://www.kassof.com/insights/ri-wi01.htm)Archived (https://web.archive.o
rg/web/20060628223403/http://www.kassof.com/insights/ri-wi01.htm)2006-06-28 at the Wayback Machine.
WINTER, 2001, RESEARCH INSIGHTS.

Further reading
Chevedden, John; Kowalke, Ron (2012).Standard Catalog of Oldsmobile 1897–1997. Kraus Publications.
Clark, Henry A. (1985).Kimes, Beverly R., ed.The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1945
. Krause
Publications. ISBN 0-87341-111-0.
Clark, Henry A. (1996).Kimes, Beverly R., ed.The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1945
. Krause
Publications. ISBN 0-87341-428-4.
Gunnell, John, ed. (1987).The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975
. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-
096-3.
Lawler, John (February 1994). "1957-58 Oldsmobile: From Beautiful to Baroque".Collectible Automobile Magazine.
pp. 22–37.

External links
 Oldsmobile Owner Assistanceon GM website
Oldsmobile.com: 2004 Oldsmobile's website— last year of production
Encyclopedia of Oldsmobile
The Olds Holiday Golden Anniversary Special
Oldsmobile Club of America
Oldsmobile at Curlie (based on DMOZ)
OutrightOlds.com — Oldsmobile photo archive, history, concepts, vintage ads,videos, and owners registry.
Vintage Oldsmobile Ads
442.com: resource for the Cutlass/442 enthusiest
Radiolive.co.nz: Alan Lewenthal interview
, Oldsmobile F88 owner

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